Ex-Biden Adviser Criticizes Jean-Pierre as ‘Kinda Dumb,’ Deletes Tweet Over Comments on Her Intelligence

Mounting criticism is emerging from members of President Joe Biden's inner circle targeting former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, especially in light of her recent decision to leave the Democratic Party and launch a tell-all book. The latest salvo came from Timothy Wu, a prominent Columbia University law professor and architect of the Biden administration’s antitrust policy, who did not mince words in his assessment of Jean-Pierre’s tenure.

In a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), Wu described Jean-Pierre as “kinda dumb,” citing a purported lack of engagement with complex policy matters. He elaborated that she showed “no interest in understanding harder topics,” and often delivered “random incoherent answers on policy.” While the original message was removed, Wu later doubled down on his criticism, intensifying the controversy with remarks about Jean-Pierre’s comparative performance among Black women in the White House, calling her an outlier in a team he characterized as otherwise “full of genius-level Black women.”

The comments sparked immediate backlash on social media, with one account accusing Wu of making a “pretty racist” statement. However, Wu maintained his stance, further discussing the essential role of a press secretary as a link between policy staff and public communication—implying that Jean-Pierre had fallen short in this capacity compared to her predecessors and even officials in rival administrations.

The uproar comes at a critical moment for Jean-Pierre, who has recently announced her departure from the Democratic Party and embraced an Independent identity. She is set to release a memoir, “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines,” promising behind-the-scenes revelations. This move has been met with skepticism by several former Biden staffers, who labeled the book a “bizarre cash grab” and questioned the credibility and impact of her forthcoming account.

Jean-Pierre addressed her party switch and the motivation behind her upcoming publication, stating, “At noon on that day [that Biden left office], I became a private citizen who, like all Americans and many of our allies around the world, had to contend with what was to come next for our country. I determined that the danger we face as a country requires freeing ourselves of boxes. We need to be willing to exercise the ability to think creatively and plan strategically.”

Further commentary from familiar faces within Biden’s circle reflected ongoing doubt about Jean-Pierre’s influence and legacy. One unnamed figure remarked, “I wouldn’t ignore what Karine has to say, but it’s not an account in which much weight will be invested—just like her briefings.” The pointed remarks highlight deeper tensions within President Biden’s former communications team and signal potential challenges for Jean-Pierre as she attempts to redefine her public image outside the Democratic mainstream.